BIODEGRADABLE INJECTABLE IMPLANT SYSTEMS FOR LONG-TERM DRUG-DELIVERY USING POLY(LACTIC-CO-GLYCOLIC) ACID COPOLYMERS

Poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG), is one of the most widely employed biodegradable synthetic polymers for sustained-release preparations. I n the present work, PLG (50:50) copolymer has been used to deliver dic lofenac sodium in the form of microspheres and in situ gel-forming sys tems, both of which can be injected subcutaneously. The pharmacodynami c and pharmacokinetic studies in the adjuvant-induced arthritic rats s howed that the microspheres offered steady therapeutic levels of the d rug in the plasma for about 16 days following a single subcutaneous in jection. However, the in situ gel-forming system provided a significan tly higher maximum plasma concentration and increased inhibition of in flammation, maintained for about 10 days. Injectable microspheres and in situ gel-forming implant systems of PLG (50:50) copolymer may there fore be considered as prospective implantable controlled-release dosag e forms to deliver drugs in long-term therapy of chronic ailments.